Over the past week we’ve met up with a lot of family and family friends, and I’ve met some for the first time, and others for the first time in a long time. Something that I’ve noticed again and again over the course of various teas and dinners is that when it comes to greeting people of the older generation here, I have no idea what to do. There are just too many variations. Usually I just try and gauge what the other person is leading towards, and follow their lead. Which is hard, considering there’s the awkward distanced “hello”, traditional handshake, the hug (my favorite), the one-cheek kiss, the two-cheek kiss, and the on-the-lips kiss (my least favorite). Personally, as an American who’s not even particularly huggy, trying to guess what to do is about as confusing as physics. Actually, more confusing. In America, unless you’re family or close friends, when meeting somebody for the first time, usually you would just shake their hand. Here, it’s different. I see a head moving towards me in slow motion aaaand I’m useless. If it were up to ME I’d give everyone a hug and call it a day. But, alas, I’ve been the recipient of any and all of these combinations, and my awkward confusion about which side to lean towards has even led to me getting kissed on the nose, twice. My most unexpected experience was receiving a quick kiss on the lips by a 70-something year old man who I’d never met before. Now that was uncomfortable, and I’m pretty sure I was pink for a full five minutes afterwards. I realize that here it may be socially acceptable and not cringe-worthy, but it’s taking some getting to. After all of these greetings I’m more confused than ever, and am no nearer to figuring it out than I was three weeks ago. When I’m with people of my own generation in Cape Town and Jeffrey’s Bay in the coming months, I’ll have to see what they do to say hello. I’m hoping it’s something more familiar, otherwise I’ll just have to carry on being the stereotypical awkward American!
Other than being inducted into the cryptic world of South African hellos, other notable mentions of the past week include getting a guided tour of my mom’s old high school with my grandparents’ neighbor, and going out to lunch with my grandparents and eating the best cheesecake ever (I know, it's monumentous). I’ve still been going to the gym every morning because I enjoy getting out and mingling with young people, plus there’s free internet on their computers, so I can check up what’s going on in America and at UCLA. I’m using the term “mingling” loosely, by the way. I don’t actually talk to anybody, I’m more just going about my work out in their general vicinity. I’m not too good at striking up conversation with random strangers, so I pretty much keep to myself. But, I’ve realized that a gym’s a gym, and it’s the same here as it is in California and North Carolina! No translation or adaptation necessary, thank goodness exercise protocol is the same world-wide. Today I realized that I’ve listened to my “workout” playlist so many times now that if I wasn’t in a public place, I could probably rap along with Kanye. Now wouldn’t that be a picture…
Before I say goodbye I just have to make a quick shout-out to my cousin, Mr. Jack Kenneth Scott Henshall- have you been getting A’s and B’s? Before I left I threatened that if he got any C’s on his homework I’d call him out publicly (well, to my 9 or so readers), so I had to follow through. I expect a full report!
Until next time :)
Sarah! I just discovered your blog (through a bit of fb sleuthing) and can't wait to read about your South African adventures! sounds like life is pretty good right now. two comments:
ReplyDelete1. I also had to adjust to a different style of greeting - luckily it's pretty universally a kiss on the cheek, but sometimes I forget and it's awkward and I feel like the stereotypically cold American.
2. I go to a gym here, and actually made a gym friend for the first time ever. Well he just asked me where I was from (it was fairly obvious that I'm not from here because a) I have blonde hair and b) I wear shorts to work out, unlike the Mexican women who prefer color-coordinated spandex body suits) but we had a nice chat and now I say hi whenever I see him there. Hmm that was not useful advice on how to make friends at the gym - maybe if you go to a class regularly gAfrican spinning?) you can make friends with the instructor!
hey Jess! I'm glad that you made a gym friend, and also that you haven't adopted the matching spandex body suit workout trend, that sounds like bad news to me. I need an update on your Mexican adventures, email or facebook me when you get a chance!
ReplyDeleteMan, you're making me so jealous =( I studied probably for a total of 45 hours last week and this one isn't looking much better. I hope that will help you put things in perspective and really take advantage of your time there. When do you go to the game park?
ReplyDeleteSarah
ReplyDeleteNow that I have wiped my eyes and my stomach has stopped aching from laughing, I think respond. Watch out for the 70 year olds would probably be good advice - hold your hand out as far from your body as possible and see if that helps..... I will have to get Jack to reply to your question himself. Missing you lots and hope that you continue to post from Cape Town. Love reading them - hilarious.... You might need to turn them into a book when you get back.
Lol, as for the rogue 70 year old, no-one says you have to keep your mouth in his line , just turn your cheek. Very old school.
ReplyDeleteCould be fun back Here though with cute guy, could be worth it later.........
Good luck with the tips too.